The American Heart Investment Group (AHIG) Committee for Arts & Cultural Advancement is proud to announce the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Grants Program (Grant ID: 73862)—a unique funding opportunity aimed at preserving and transmitting traditional art forms through intergenerational mentorship.
This program is designed to support master artists and their apprentices who are deeply rooted in a shared cultural tradition. Grants ranging from $5,000 to $7,500 will fund apprenticeship partnerships that help sustain traditional music, dance, storytelling, crafts, ceremonial practices, and more.
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🌿 Grant Overview
• Grant ID: 73862
• Funding Range: $5,000 – $7,500
• Deadline: Ongoing (Applications accepted year-round)
• Location: Massachusetts residents only
• Purpose: To support one-on-one, intensive mentorships between a master artist and an apprentice in traditional cultural arts.
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🧵 What the Grant Supports
Grant funding may be used to cover a wide range of apprenticeship-related costs, including:
• Artist compensation
• Materials and supplies
• Equipment and tools
• Space rental for lessons or cultural practice
• Travel or documentation costs (as needed)
The goal is to provide the time, structure, and financial support necessary to pass down culturally significant traditions that may otherwise be at risk of fading.
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🎭 Who Should Apply
This opportunity is open to individuals working within traditional cultural communities who meet the following criteria:
• Both the master artist and apprentice must apply jointly.
• Must be residents of Massachusetts.
• Must demonstrate a deep connection to a living traditional art form, rooted in community identity.
• Must submit evidence of artistic expertise and cultural commitment.
• Preference may be given to applicants representing underrepresented or endangered traditions.
Examples of eligible traditions include—but are not limited to—folk and ceremonial dance, storytelling, drumming, weaving, carving, pottery, traditional boatbuilding, and indigenous or immigrant heritage arts.
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📝 Application Review Process
All applications are reviewed by a panel of experts in traditional arts, culture, and heritage. Evaluations are based on:
• Artistic quality and skill
• Cultural significance of the tradition
• Clarity and feasibility of the proposed apprenticeship
• Potential for impact in the preservation of the art form
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📌 Why This Grant Matters
In an era of rapid cultural change, this grant offers a vital pathway to honor, protect, and revitalize cultural heritage. Through one-on-one mentorships, master artists can preserve their knowledge while empowering a new generation of cultural stewards.
“Culture is sustained not by institutions, but by people. This grant invests in people—those who keep traditional arts alive in their communities, families, and identities.”
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📲 Ready to Apply?
Visit the AHIG Membership Portal to learn more and begin your application. Grant funds are limited and awarded on a rolling basis, so early submission is strongly encouraged.
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🌀 Preserve the past. Mentor the future. Keep tradition alive.
AHIG Committee for Arts & Cultural Advancement